would be unimaginable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "would be unimaginable" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to express a hypothetical situation or to emphasize the extreme nature of something. Example: The consequences of not addressing climate change would be unimaginable, with rising sea levels and natural disasters causing widespread devastation.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Devaluation would be unimaginable chaos.

The Economist

A MORE appropriate commemoration would be unimaginable.

The Economist

No way, my life would be unimaginable.

The Guardian - Opinion

This would be unimaginable in the UK.

The Guardian - Opinion

Social life would be unimaginable without play and games.

Stanford University

To residents, Ilion without Remington would be unimaginable.

The New York Times

The Italian prosecution would be unimaginable in America.

The New York Times

The resulting death toll and damage would be unimaginable.

The New York Times

It would be unimaginable now to be a student and free of money worries.

The Economist

"The damage it would do to research at the university would be unimaginable," he said.

The New York Times

The movie would be unimaginable with anyone less charismatic playing Ree.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing for a general audience, consider whether a more direct synonym like "unthinkable" or "inconceivable" might be more readily understood.

Common error

Avoid using "would be unimaginable" in situations where a simpler expression would suffice. Overusing the phrase can diminish its impact and make your writing sound melodramatic. Reserve it for truly extraordinary or impactful situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "would be unimaginable" functions as an adjective phrase, typically used to describe a situation, event, or consequence that is extremely difficult or impossible to conceive or anticipate. As Ludwig AI explains, it emphasizes the extreme nature of something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Academia

23%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "would be unimaginable" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe scenarios that are difficult to conceive. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is used to emphasize the extreme nature of something. It's prevalent in news, academic, and science contexts, suggesting a formal to neutral register. When using this phrase, consider the impact you want to create and ensure it aligns with the overall tone and purpose of your writing. While effective, avoid overuse to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

would be unthinkable

Replaces "unimaginable" with "unthinkable", suggesting something is not only difficult to imagine, but also unacceptable or morally wrong.

would be inconceivable

Similar to "unimaginable", but emphasizes the impossibility of conceiving the situation.

would be beyond comprehension

Highlights the difficulty in fully understanding or grasping the situation.

would defy imagination

Emphasizes that the situation is so extreme that it exceeds the limits of one's imagination.

is hard to fathom

Suggests the situation is mysterious or difficult to fully grasp.

would scarcely be believed

Indicates the situation is so unusual that it would be difficult to accept as true.

would be unpredictable

Focuses on the inability to foresee or anticipate the situation.

would be beyond the pale

Implies the situation would be completely unacceptable or inappropriate.

would be unprecedented

Highlights that the situation has never occurred before and is therefore difficult to imagine.

would beggar belief

Emphasizes that the situation is so extraordinary that it is almost impossible to believe.

FAQs

How can I use "would be unimaginable" in a sentence?

You can use "would be unimaginable" to describe a situation or outcome that is extremely difficult to conceive or anticipate. For example, "The scale of the disaster "would be unimaginable" without international aid".

What's a less formal alternative to "would be unimaginable"?

Alternatives like "unthinkable" or "hard to believe" can convey a similar meaning in less formal contexts. For example, "Life without the internet "would be unthinkable" for many people today".

Is "unimaginable" an overused word?

"Unimaginable" can be effective, but overusing it can weaken its impact. Consider using synonyms like "inconceivable" or "unfathomable" to add variety to your writing.

What's the difference between "would be unimaginable" and "would be unlikely"?

"Would be unimaginable" emphasizes the difficulty of conceiving a situation, while "would be unlikely" focuses on the low probability of it happening. The first implies a cognitive challenge, while the second implies a statistical assessment.